Search form

Search form

Virginia is planning to explore the potential of alternative-fuel vehicles, including those that run on propane autogas, natural gas, hybrid technology, biofuels, hydrogen and electricity, to run its fleet of 10,000 trucks and cars, according to a newspaper editorial. "As we continue on the path toward making Virginia the 'Energy Capital of the East Coast,' it is important that we pursue all practicable and cost-effective options to promote the use of alternative fuel vehicles," Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a statement.

Related Summaries

By 2020, the Department of Defense will have acquired more than 155,000 alternative-fuel vehicles, including ones capable of running on E85 and B20, according to a report. Navigant Research found that the department will spend more than $900 million in an effort to save more than $92 million in fuel costs every year and meet environmental requirements.

A bill in the West Virginia Legislature seeks to limit the state's tax credit for alternative-fuel vehicles to those that run on natural gas, butane and propane starting April 15. The measure would also repeal the tax incentive for developing alternative-fuel infrastructure. The bill would help West Virginia save money while promoting its natural gas industry, according to the office of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

The Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Tier 3 sulfur-reduction rules could stifle the development of alternative-fuel vehicles by promoting production of more-efficient conventional vehicles, observers said. The EPA's proposal "simply extends indefinitely the viability of traditional automobile engines," said Francis X. Lyons, a former EPA administrator for the Great Lakes area. Some environmentalists, however, say greater output of alternative-fuel vehicles would still be needed to meet long-term carbon-reduction goals.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded nearly $1 million to the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium at West Virginia University to train first responders on how to handle emergencies involving alternative-fuel vehicles. "The next-generation vehicles that use alternative fuels and advanced technologies are just as safe as conventional vehicles, but different. Therefore, it is critical that our first responders are properly trained to understand the differences, so they can safely respond, without any hesitation, to an accident involving these vehicles," said the consortium's executive director, Al Ebron.

GE Capital Fleet Services has built a test track and a showroom for alternative-fuel vehicles at its headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minn. GE built the Vehicle Innovation Center in response to increased interest from corporate fleet managers for alternative-fuel vehicles, said Debora Frodl, the chief strategy officer for GE Capital Fleet Services.